United States striker Folarin Balogun will miss the round of 16 clash with Belgium after being shown a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Balogun was involved in an unfortunate tangle with Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic as the pair battled for a bouncing ball, and made dangerous contact with the ankle of his opponent.
Though seemingly unintentional, a review by the video assistant referee (VAR) instructed the referee to look at the incident on the pitchside monitor, and Balogun was sent off by referee Raphael Claus.
Having scored the co-hosts’ opener in Santa Clara, the USA striker became just the fourth player to both register a goal and receive a red card in a World Cup knockout tie – joining Garrincha (1962), Ronaldinho (2002) and Zinedine Zidane (2006).
Balogun will receive an automatic one-match ban for the straight red card, and thus be unable to feature in the next round against Belgium. There is no route to appeal.
Rudi Garcia’s side came through a thrilling tie against Senegal, roaring back from 2-0 down to snatch a dramatic victory, and will provide a tough test for the United States as the pair vie for a quarter-final place.
USA manager Mauricio Pochettino has a decision to make up front with Balogun suspended. Ricardo Pepi started in the forward line in the defeat to Turkey as Balogun was rested, while Timothy Weah also featured in that game.
The pair could contend for a place alongside Christian Pulisic, while Haji Wright offers an alternative option having helped Coventry City to promotion to the Premier League with another strong scoring season.
Pulisic was able to complete nearly the entirety of the last-32 clash in a significant boost for Pochettino after his injury issues.
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